Rise above the inflamatory prattle

Consequences, responsibility, accountability, maturity. These concepts seem to be misplaced in today's maelstrom of constant chatter on the Internet, TV and radio “news” programs and talk shows. How do we, as citizens of this country, make sense of a world that is so obviously out of control and, yes, gone mad?

Talk show hosts are quick to point fingers, to issue supposedly learned pronouncements and accuse the “other” of “politicizing” the tragic shooting in Tucson. We are bombarded 24/7 with tirades, half-truths and outright lies of every conceivable dimension from far right to far left and all points in between. Damage control from the right is evident — Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck front and center deny everything, label it politicizing, saying everyone “does it,” followed by “learned” tongue-clucking from Bill O'Reilly, and on and on. No better from Keith Olbermann, Ed Shultz, Chris Matthews and others whose pompous pronouncements are seized upon by the opposite side.

It is time for some personal responsibility, people. We need to look at the consequences of our own words and actions when we spread unfounded rumors and spew angry political rhetoric that serves to inflame, not inform. We are all influenced by this negative environment and it affects how we treat each other on a daily basis. Basic civility is becoming a dinosaur. It's more evident every day — the lack of respect for one another, the crazy conspiracy theories, the mistrust of government by the very same people who righteously claim belief in God, the flag, the Constitution, and the ever-so-important right to bear arms.

The sheriff of Pima County, Ariz., called a spade a spade. Would that we all begin to hold ourselves accountable for the part we play in the world we're living in. It begins with you and me.

Elizabeth Hansen

Schaumburg